<p>Hi Parents, I posted this question in the College Search forum and didn't get any responses (perhaps because its a "no-name school" on here), so I'm hoping those of you who are familiar with the school and/or have family or friends attend (attended) can help.</p>
<p>I was wondering about the Biology program at OSU, specifically the marine biology program, how strong of a program is it? I know Oregon State is known for the sciences, but am unsure about the program.</p>
<p>Also, their website indicates that students can choose from either biology or environmental sciences, both of which have the marine biology option, which one would be "better" for careers dealing directly with marine mammals?</p>
<p>I am from Oregon and I have always thought of marine biology as being one of Oregon State’s stronger programs. You might want to check out Rugg’s Recomendations since they have a list of schools ranked for marine science (I have an older copy at home that I can look up tonight). Note that NOAA is moving their Seattle facility to Newport adjacent to the OSU marine science facility (and an OSU marine biology professor now heads NOAA).</p>
<p>Sorry I seem to have lent my Rugg’s Recomendations to someone, but you might find a copy in the library. I was surprised to see University of Oregon had a marine biology major, I think Oregon State is the better known one.</p>
<p>OSU sciences are, by reputation, EXCELLENT. Alumni of the graduate program in Marine biology are on the faculty at various sister universities that also have top Biology departments. Keep in mind, the OSU program is not at the main campus in Corvallis, but at the oceanfront, some distance away. Also, the proposed move of the NOAA offices from Seattle to Oregon is quite controversial and might be overruled. But that wouldn’t affect the quality of the OSU marine program.</p>
<p>One more thing, be aware that Marine Biology, biological oceanography, marine science is largely a graduate field. You won’t likely be able to start a professional career in the field with just a bachelor’s degree. Graduate study is a must. So if you’re intent on making this your life’s work, then don’t necessarily concentrate on a bachelor’s in this specific area. Choose a major in most any subject you desire. Just have a strong foundation in basic [life] science and math. If you take all undergraduate marine biology courses, you’ll just have to repeat many of them in graduate school.</p>
<p>The strongest marine biology/oceanography departments on the west coast are U of Washington, Oregon State Univesity and the Scripps Institute at U of California-San Diego. For specifically undergraduate study, California State University-Monterrey Bay isn’t bad at all.</p>
<p>I concur with LakeWashington that the marine classification of a bio major would be for grad school- getting a specialized degree as undergrad limits your education and experience and the field is quite broad- either a chem or bio ( or physics) degree would serve you well for prep for grad studies.</p>
<p>( my D is also very interested in Marine bio- but going into sophomore year she is now just as interested in international economics- all the more reason not to narrow your focus too fast)</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses! Looking at OSU’s academics, seems like I may be more interested in Wildlife & Fisheries as opposed to a straight Biology degree, but not sure what the differences are between the two, but you are all right, graduate studies would definitely be in the future if I pursue this route (which is likely)</p>
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